Rainbow nails will be everywhere this summer

Deciding on the nail colour you want to commit to each mani can be tricky business, but one trend giving you an ‘out’ are the rainbow nails we've been seeing everywhere. Instead of being limited to one single colour, the trend offers an opportunity to get playful with all the shades you're vibing with.

Rainbow nails have been gaining in popularity over the last few years. And although they started as simply a different shade of polish on each nail, we've seen them become even more creative lately with rainbow French tips, ombre rainbow nails, chrome rainbow, tie-dye rainbow, rainbow accents, and so much more.

With maximalism, self-expression and personalisation all on the agenda for 2025, they also happen to be bang on trend, especially if you want an antidote to clean, minimal milky nails.

So, we've rounded up some of our favourite ways to wear rainbow nails below…

Glossy rainbow French tips

These ultra-glossy rainbow Frenchies are fun and sophisticated at the same time.

Negative space rainbow nails

Alternating colours and negative-space stripes make for a more minimal take on the trend.

Chrome rainbow Frenchies

Combine multiple trends by mixing rainbow colours, French tips and a chrome top coat.

XXL rainbow Frenchies

These long stiletto rainbow Frenchies are everything.

Mirror rainbow

Take on colour on each nail tip and reflect it back in a lighter gradient at the base.

Tie-dye gemstone rainbow nails

If you want a mani that's unique, eye-catching and has tons of personality, this high-shine tie-dye gemstone creation nails the assignment.

Rainbow accents

Rather than creating a rainbow spectrum with a different shade on each nail, this creates an individual gradient rainbow on every nail. It's detailed, colourful and fabulous.

Ombre rainbow nails

Add extra interest by taking one colour on each nail, but applying each in an ombre gradient.

Skinny rainbow nails

Short nails still make perfect canvases for this trend. Case in point: this dinky skinny rainbow Frenchie.

Mixed French

Gigi Hadid rocked a rainbow mani by nail artist Mei Kawajiri. What makes this mani so cool is that not only is each tip a different shade, but every single finger is different. It's perfect for even the most indecisive among us.

Reverse French

Rather than topping off your nail with a contrast tip on the top, cuff your nail at the bottom with a clashing rainbow colour.

Almond rainbow nails

Almond nails remain one of the most popular and elegant nail shapes right now. Combined with a pastel rainbow Frenchie, it's demure, but a little more playful.

'90s rainbow Frenchie

For a nod to the '90s, make the tip of your rainbow Frenchie slightly chunkier.

Holographic rainbow nails

These rainbow nails are as mesmerising as they are covetable, since they change colour in the light.

Ombre rainbow Frenchies

Rather than a solid French tip, ombre the colour more gradually down your nails.

Dinky rainbow Frenchies

Cute, colourful and perfect for shorter nails.

Tie-dye rainbow Frenchies

For a next-level mani that will make those around you do a double-take, we love these tie-dye rainbow French tips.

Top-to-tail rainbow nails

Take a different shade over each tip, then reflect it with a classic white Frenchie reflected on the cuticle.

Double swoop rainbow nails

These double-swoop rainbow nails are so creative and take different colours (and different gradients) and swoop them across each nail.

Colour clash rainbow Frenchies

Instead of taking a different colour across each tip, try taking two.

Pastel rainbow nails

Want something a little more subtle? A mix of pastel nails is a soft take on the trend.

Rainbow accent nails

This maximalist mani has everything: rainbow colours, French tips, flowers, swoops and even the glow emoji. We're sold.

Colour block rainbow nails

Taking one single colour across each nail is simple but so effective.

Swoosh clash rainbow nails

Take clashing colours and swoosh them across the top and bottom.

Colour cuff nails

We love the contrasting cuff details on this rainbow mani.

Dinky rainbow details

If you want to tap into the rainbow trend but in a super subtle way, these dinky rainbow details are the answer.

Triple swoosh rainbow nails

Why choose one rainbow colour for each nail when you can choose three and up the ante with neon swooshes?

Wavy rainbow

This psychedelic wavy rainbow mani is so retro and cute.

Double rainbow

We love this colour block approach to double rainbow Frenchies.

Kaleidoscope nails

This colour clash mani follows no rule (nor the traditional rainbow colour order) and we love it.

Checkerboard rainbow

Checkerboard nails are a whole mani moment on their own, but in rainbow colours it's extra adorable.

Rainbow cuff

We love this full classic rainbow detail at the cuff of each nail.

Pastel rainbow

If you can't decide on which pastel shade to wear across your nails, go for one on each nail.

Classic rainbow nails

For the most classic (and easiest) take on rainbow nails, simply paint each nail a different shade. We particularly like this version, since the pastel shades and matte finish give this mani a candy-coated feel.

A version of this article originally appeared on GLAMOUR US.